– The proposed reductions are so enormous that they beg the question of whether Finland’s largest wellbeing services county will still be able to operate and provide statutory social welfare and healthcare services as required by the Constitution of Finland, especially taking into account the geographical challenges and special needs of Lapland, says Millariikka Rytkönen.
The planned cooperation negotiations of the Wellbeing Services County of Lapland are the result of a decision issued by the county executive on Monday yesterday to cut costs by another €20 million in addition to the €20 million already set as a target earlier in September.
According to Rytkönen, the completely unexpectedly announced cuts will have a direct impact on the jobs and wellbeing at work of nursing staff. In addition to this, they will jeopardise patient safety for the residents of Lapland.
– Forcing up to 10 per cent of the wellbeing services county’s total staff to pay for the bad policies of decision-makers will endanger the wellbeing and security of supply of Lapland as a whole,” Rytkönen says.
The healthcare professionals of Lapland play a crucial role not only in ensuring the wellbeing of the region's residents, but also in protecting and caring for tourists and residents in remote areas: Lapland provides care and treatment to tourists from both Finland and abroad. Rytkönen asks why decision-makers fail to consider not only the wellbeing of health care personnel, but also the importance of Lapland as a guarantor of the security of supply of Finland as a whole.
– The social welfare and healthcare professionals of Lapland – who are civilians, by the way – not only look after the region’s residents, but also ensure the health of the Finnish Defence Forces and NATO personnel operating in the area. Lapland's special status must be safeguarded, and the region’s workers must not be treated as expenses or negative lines on a spreadsheet. On the contrary, decision-makers should reward their valuable contribution and commitment to the common good and maintaining security, says Rytkönen.
Rytkönen points out that Tehy's experts and union representatives are at the disposal of their members throughout the process and will be actively negotiating on behalf of the affected workers with regional decision-makers as well.
According to the county executive, the decision is based on a measure proposal issued by an evaluation team appointed by the central government, according to which the Wellbeing Services County of Lapland must operate at zero deficit next year. The cost reductions totalling €40 million are to be implemented next year (page in Finnish).
Enquiries: Tehy President Millariikka Rytkönen through Special Advisor Mila Huovinen, [email protected], tel. 0400-540 005.
